Jax Kar Wash History

Before Jax, in 1950, Jack Milen opened National Car Wash at Alfred and Woodward next to the Detroiter Hotel with partner Dave (John) Jassey. The wash was open 24 hours a day then, and the wash price was $1.

On May 12, 1954, Jack founded Jax Kar Wash. The first location was in Detroit, at 6 Mile and Meyers. The second location was opened in 1956 in Birmingham, followed by the 3rd location in 1958 at Greenfield and Schoolcraft. Since then, we have opened more locations; at one time, there were eleven. This family business has had many charity fundraisers (March of Dimes, MS, CATCH, Michigan Cancer Foundation and more).

In 1998, the Milens sold the company to a national chain that only cared about a profit and taking the company public — that never happened, and in June of 2001, Bruce Milen bought back the company.

Bruce and Tony Milen came into the Florida market in November of 2008 with the acquisition of Clear Sunset Car Wash with the simple goal to make it one of the best car washes in the state. In 2018, after acquiring many awards and accolades, Clear Sunset became Jax Kar Wash and Detail Center. This new location continues to add to the legacy of Jack Milen an early car wash innovator.